Despite the continuous rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases which include the threat of the more transmissible Delta and now the Lambda variant, the number of violators being accosted for violation of health safety protocol and quarantine rules remains high.
Based on the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 54,723 violators were accosted for ignoring the minimum public health safety protocol, which include not wearing face masks and mass gathering, from August 6 to 14 in Metro Manila alone.
A total of 22,759 people were also accosted for violations of the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew at the National Capital Region (NCR) while a total of 4,727 were accosted at the border control points for travelling even if they are not APOR or Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).
Metro Manila is under the Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 6 to 20.
If the violators from the four adjacent provinces of Metro Manila (called NCR Plus) are included, the total number of accosted violators since August 6 is 241,121. Nationwide, the number of violators accosted since August 6 is 401,979.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar lamented that despite the repeated warnings and appeals, a number of people are still ignoring the health safety protocol and quarantine rules.
“Despite our repeated appeals and warnings, the number of violators we accost are still high, especially in Metro Manila and the four adjacent province. But we will continue implement these rules because this is one of the best effective solutions we see to contain the spread of the virus, especially that there is already a case of Lambda variant in the country,” said Eleazar.
The Department of Health disclosed that the first Lambda variant case is a 35-year-old female who has already recovered from the disease. It is believed to have originated in Peru where the death toll of COVD-19 cases is high, and was classified as variant of interest by the World Health Organization.
Eleazar also directed all police offices and units to closely monitor developments on the detection of the Lambda variant in the country.
At present, the organization will continue to strictly implement quarantine protocols to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, according to the PNP Chief.
Eleazar also urged the public to strictly abide by minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols, citing information from health experts that the variant could be more infectious and resistant to vaccine.
“On the part of the PNP, we will not give up in protecting the lives of the Filipino people at the expense of our own safety because there are still a greater number of responsible and law-abiding people who bank on their PNP as their line of defense, as their shield against the threat of the COVID-19,” said Eleazar.